Maps detail sea level rise 'risk'

The Bass Coast Shire says it is not surprised by new data which shows several of its coastal townships could be affected by sea level rises by 2011.

The Federal Government released a series of maps this week showing parts of San Remo, Caldermeade, Bass and Queensferry could be inundated if sea levels rise by 1.1 metres.

The council's planning and environment director, Hannah Duncan-Jones, says the shire is being proactive by developing adaptation plans for coastal communities and forcing developers to factor in climate change.

She says the new data will be useful but it should not be regarded as conclusive.

"It accords with what we expected and I guess that certainly when you look at them they can look quite dramatic and it's important to consider that what they're doing is providing a representation and that these are not maps that should be utilised for detailed planning purposes, they're to provide an indication of risk," she said.